Carrie Gibson Harvin

Obituary: Mrs. Carrie Edna Gibson Harvin, age 91, answered the call of her heavenly Father as she took her final peaceful flight to be with the Lord on Thursday morning, July 6, 2017, at the National Healthcare Center in Sumter, SC. She was born June 6, 1926 in Sumter, SC to the late Bertha Lucille and Andrew Willis Gibson. Her memory will always live in our hearts, for she was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, mother-in-law, and a compassionate friend. At an early age, she accepted Christ and began her Christian journey at Mt. Pisgah AME Church, Sumter, SC. In July 1951, she joined her loving husband in membership at the Calvary Baptist Church in Pinewood, SC. At Calvary, she faithfully served as a member of the Gospel Choir, Adult Sunday School Teacher, President of the Deacons and Ministers Wives Alliance, and President of the Senior Missionary Ministry. Additionally, she was recognized for her years of selfless service to the Black River Baptist Association. In 2010, she was bestowed the honor as "Mother of the Church"; of which she proudly reigned until her death. As mother of the church, she exemplified what good mothers do; she nurtured, encouraged, advised and imparted wisdom from God's word toothers. She was educated in the publicschools of Sumter County and graduated from Lincoln High School in May 1944. After high school, she worked as officemanager for the North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company until hermarriage. For the next twenty years, shewas a loving stay-at-home mom until her youngest daughter started school. She then worked for many years as anassistant teacher with the Pinewood Head Start Center. In her later years, she worked as a foster grandparent with thePaxville Community Center. Her civic involvement included:member of the Manning Branch of the NAACP, former secretary of the CalvaryDistrict Voting Precinct, and a loyal member of the Paxville CDC Senior Center. On August 26, 1950, she was united inholy matrimony to the late Mr. William J. Harvin, Sr.To this sacred union, they were blessed with six wonderful children. She leaves to mourn her precious memories: Anita Darleen Harvin of Hinesville, GA, Rosalind (the late Edward) Harvin Newton of Greenville, NC, William (Juanita) Harvin, Jr. of Stuttgart, Germany, Helena (Tyrone) Harvin Murphy of Coconut Creek, FL, Alfred (Janice) Harvin of Hazlehurst, MS, and Dr. Sheila (Rev. Dr. Benjamin) Harvin Snoddy of Spartanburg, SC.; four grandchildren, Jason Harvin of Orlando, FL, Nicole Harvin of Atlanta, GA, Alivia Murphy of Tallahassee, FL and Titus Murphy of Boynton Beach, FL; one sister, Clara Shepheard of Sumter, SC; three sisters-in-law, Geneva Gibson of Wendell, NC, Ludella Gibson of Philadelphia, PA, and Otha Logan of Inkster, MI; two very special nieces, Bessie (Albert) Harvin of Paxville, SC and Rebecca (William) Taylor of Goose Creek, SC; one special nephew, Jerome (Anita) Shannon of Wedgefield, SC; two special caregivers, Mrs. Martha Green and Mrs. Ellanora Benjamin and a host of other dearly loved relatives and friends. Services: Funeral Service for Ms. Carrie Gibson Harvin will be held 11:00 am Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at Calvary Baptist Church in Pinewood, SC. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Ms. Harvin will be placed in the church one hour prior for public viewing. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 6:30pm to 8pm at Calvary Baptist Church in Pinewood, SC.